Elevator Car Parking Brake With Centered Pads for Level Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator car positioning during loading and unloading is challenging due to elasticity in hoisting ropes, creating a tripping hazard, and existing parking brake solutions require reliable and efficient mechanisms for long-term use.
Innovation Solution
An elevator car parking brake system comprising a brake carrier with compression springs to center brake pads, an actuator for precise braking, and optional electro-mechanical or vacuum-based mechanisms for reliable operation, allowing for precise positioning and smooth engagement and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a parking brake is engaged at every landing stop to hold the elevator in place during loading and unloading, then safety is improved by preventing tripping hazards, but reliability deteriorates due to long-term use and frequent engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical friction brakes with a magnetic braking system that uses magnetic fields to hold the elevator car. The magnetic brake engages automatically when the car stops at a landing, holding it in position during loading and unloading without the wear and reliability issues of mechanical contact brakes. The magnetic field is activated by an electromagnet that attracts a ferromagnetic plate on the car, creating a holding force without physical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator to apply the magnetic brake and control its engagement and release. The actuator receives control signals to activate the magnetic field when the car arrives at a landing and deactivates it when the car departs, providing automated control of the braking function without manual intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If precision positioning of the car is achieved through machinery to prevent tripping hazards, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for iterative control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a magnetic holding system that maintains the car at the correct position during door operations. The magnetic brake holds the car stationary at the landing, preventing any movement that would cause door level misalignment, eliminating the need for iterative mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional friction brakes are used to hold the elevator car, then braking function is achieved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase due to wear components and adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical friction brakes and their associated wear components (pads, shoes, adjustment mechanisms) by using a magnetic field-based holding system. The electromagnet and ferromagnetic plate have no contact during operation, eliminating wear and the need for adjustment mechanisms, thereby improving both manufacturing simplicity and long-term reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively holds the elevator in place during loading and unloading, ensuring safety by maintaining the car and landing doors at the same level, with reduced manufacturing costs and improved reliability through mechanical simplicity and reduced need for complex servo motor control.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first compression spring arranged between the first plate of the brake carrier and a brake pad directly associated with the actuator, and at least one second compression spring arranged between the second plate of the brake carrier and the caliper, the first and second compression springs being configured to keep the brake pads substantially centered with respect to the brake carrier
Implementation Method 2
the brake pads comprise suction cups, and wherein the vacuum pump is configured to generate a breaking operation by producing a vacuum with the suctions cups with respect to the guide rail
Implementation Method 3
the vacuum pump is configured to generate a breaking operation by producing a vacuum with the suctions cups with respect to the guide rail
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, there is provided an elevator car parking brake comprising a brake carrier having a first plate and a second plate, the plates being spaced from each other and positioned to enable a guide rail to travel within the space between the plates, a caliper movably connected to the brake carrier, brake pads, and an actuator configured to move the brake pads against a guide rail in a braking operation. The elevator car parking brake further comprises at least one first compression spring arranged between the first plate of the brake carrier and a brake pad directly associated with the actuator; and at least one second compression spring arranged between the second plate of the brake carrier and the caliper, the first and second compression springs being configured to keep the brake pads substantially centered with respect to the brake carrier.